Marijuana bill approved
Governor Ige signs a bill to allow up to eight medical marijuana dispensary licenses within the state, including two in Maui County. These dispensary are expected to serve up to 13,000 qualified patients who hold medical marijuana card. Ige:
I support the establishment of dispensaries to ensure that qualified patients can legally and safely access medical marijuana. We will make a good faith effort to create a fair process that will help the people most in need.
Minnesota legalizes
Governor Dayton signs legislation that makes Minnesota the 22nd state to legalize medicinal marijuana. Minnesotans who are sick or in serious pain may use marijuana, although they may not smoke it. More specifically, they will still not be allowed to access cannabis in leaf form. The drug will be available by mid-2015 in pill and vapor form, as well as in oil form (which has proven especially successful in treating children with seizures). However, pot advocates say that the best and most beneficial way to consume the drug is in its natural form. Patients worry that by signing up for the medical marijuana program, they could be putting themselves at risk of falling into the grasp of police.
California allows
California voters pass Proposition 215, making the Golden State the first in the union to allow for the medical use of marijuana.